Thursday, December 31, 2009

I just caught the plane headed beyond the ridge on it's way to Seattle Tacoma International Airport (I presume). At the left is the remains of, or beginnings of, another lenticular cloud over Mt. Rainier. I couldn't wait till SkyWatch Friday to share the lenticulars we saw on Sunday's snowshow hike. If you missed them on My world Tudsday, scroll down, or have a look here.

Monday, December 28, 2009

On Saturday, the skies remained clear. Hundreds came to Paradise to play in the snow. We came to hike on snowshoes.

On Sunday, the mountain was spectacularly capped with lenticular clouds. I say clouds, because they appeared in sequence, one at a time. A spectacular lenticular cloud which topped the mountain when we arrived, cleared and was replaced by another at least twice during the day.

"Lenticular clouds, technically known as altocumulus standing lenticularis, are stationary lens-shaped clouds that form at high altitudes, normally aligned at right-angles to the wind direction." source Crystal Links

Is it any wonder that, in the 1940s, the first sightings of "flying saucers" were reported in this area?

Our host at the Lodge said that lenticular clouds signal a change in the weather. Last night there was new snow.

Whatever the cause or the aftermath, they are a spectacular sight.

And today, a new cloud style came in.

My world has been on the mountain the last two days. Where is your world? See what's happening in other parts of the world each Tuesday linked here.

Sunday, December 27, 2009

This license plate was on a horse carrier we passed when we were in California last month. We got a kick out of it.

This Odd Shot is a bit early--I don't even have the energy to reset the time so it posts on Monday. Nor did I have the energy to decide which picture I took this weekend is an odd shot. There was one I tried to get on Christmas morning. DH even drove around the block so I could take it. I ended up with a picture of the dashboard in front of me instead. We decided it wasn't to be. It was a pig in the back of a pickup. A big pig, in the back of a pickup, parked in front of a church. How odd is that? Odder than this license plate.

We had a great day today after a great day yesterday. We ended the great day, with a minor misadventure--but having escaped serious misadventure, I am exhausted and ready to sleep. I never sleep this early, but tonight....

If you have an Odd Shot today, be sure to leave a comment and let us know, we don't want to miss it.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Here we are now --on the feast of Stephen--and on the other side of the mountain. Mount Rainier has a different aspect depending on which direction you see it from. And here it is reflected in the windows of the (New) Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise. the day after Christmas remained clear and sunny, though the wind came up a bit fiercely.

The real thing, reflected here in a display about the fragile meadow ecostructure. If you haven't visited Paradise recently, you are missing the wonderfully done updated displays in the new VC.

This one says it all.

Weekend Reflections are the brainchild of James from Newtown Area Daily Photo. Visit him to see who else is reflecting on the world around them today.

More from our winter visit to the mountain after the psalm tomorrow--and after we finish visiting.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

ABC Wednesday Round 5 is brought ot you today by the letter W. Here todayW is for waterfall. See what W means for others on the ABC list here.

You can have your Niagara, your Victoria, and any of a number of glorious waterfalls. Here today it is those serendipitous trickles in the desert, or those that appear as the snow melts in the moutnains. The waterfalls that you may see today but may be missing tomorrow as the source dries up or the weather turns cold again.

...like this one seen from inside the bridge at Tonto Natural Bridge State Park in Arizona.

This fall in Zion National Park striking the rocks below is also seen from behind.

...from the side...

or from below.

When the snow melts in the Cascades, there is a waterfall around every corner--like this one at Mt. Rainier.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

In My World today it was the time of Las Posadas, the novena (nine days prayer) which reenacts the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem.

In the traditional posadas, there is a procession of pilgrims from house to house, seeking shelter. At the first two houses the pilgrims are turn away.

In the name of heavenI beg you for lodging,for she cannot walkmy beloved wife.

This is not an innso keep going.I cannot openyou may be a rogue.

The women gathered outside the doors of the body of the church in the vestibule. Well, at least most of them did. It was too crowded there, so some of us were just inside. We sang the verses requesting shelter.

Don't be inhuman;Have mercy on us.The God of the heavens will reward you for it.

The men, led by Fr. Jaime You can go on now

and Isaac, sang the responses and don't bother us,

of the people inside the houses. because if I become annoyed

I'll give you a thrashing.

We are worn out

coming from Nazareth.

I am a carpenter,

Joseph by name. I don't care about your name;

Let me sleep,

because I already told you

we shall not open up.

I 'm asking you for lodging

dear man of the house

Just for one night

for the Queen of Heaven. Well, if it's a queen

who solicits it,

why is it at night

that she travels so alone?

The "householders" finally relent and let the pilgrims enter. They are led by a guitar and a lady playing bells.

My wife is MaryShe's the Queen of Heavenand she's going to be the motherof the Divine Word.

Are you Joseph? Your wife is Mary? Enter, pilgrims; I did not recognize you.

May God repay, gentle folks,

your charity,

and thus heaven heapEnter, holy pilgrims,

happiness upon you. received this corner,

for though this dwelling is poor,

I offer it with all my heart.

My friend Lupe's nonagenarian dad stands for the blessing of all the fathers, and the children answer questions and sing songs to the Baby Jesus.

Blessed is the house

that shelters this day

the pure Virgin,

the beautiful Mary. Oh, graced pilgrim,

oh, most beautiful Mary.

I offer you my soul

so you may have lodging.

Father Jaime and some of the children kneel before the altar to lead the final prayers of the evening.

And that's my world today, Tuesday. What's happening elsewhere in the world? Find out here.

About Me

I am a Grandma blogger, posting some regular stuff on some regular blogs--photos and memes. Most recently I have primarily participated in a weekly header challenge, but hopefully I will get back to more regular blogging again.